yeah i'm newbie but I just finished my first movie and I dunno how to render it a avi or wmv or anything other than the project file. I have tried "Render workspace" but it doesn't make it any other file than the project file. Any helpful advice is appreciated and please don't whine cause I'm new to the program.

Rendering only creates preview files so that when you scrub or play the
timeline, it will do so smoothly. If you want to create a movie, that is
under the File menu. I would suggest you read the few pages in the manual
about rendering and File/Export.

The trial (on crack or not) doesn't offer anything to do with MPEG video, no import, no export, no Encore. If you want to test drive Encore your only option is to buy PPro CS3 and if you don't like it you can take Adobe up on their 30 day money back guarantee.